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No. 242,463. Patented June 7.1881.

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Patented June 7,1881.

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7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

E. MALHE'RE. Lace Machine.

No. 242,463. Patented June 7,1881.

l 7 Sheets-Sheet 6. E.. MALHERE. Lace Machine.

No. 242,463. Patented June 7,1881..

N. Pneus. mammography. whingm. n4 c,

E. MALHB'RE.

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Lace Machine.

.Patented June 7, i881..

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Nima STATES ATENT Ferca,

EUGENE MALIIERE, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO COMPAGNIE DENTEL- LIERE DE FRANCE. I

LACE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,463, dated June 7, 1881.

Application filed November 22, 1877. Patented in England October 23, 1876. l

which British Letters Patent No. 4,101, dated October 23, 1876, have been granted to Ed-` ouard Simon, as a communication from the Compagnie Dentelliere de France,) of which io the following specification isa full description. This invention'relates to the manufacture of real lace, identical with the hand-made article, by machinery, on the Malhere system, and is intended as an improvement on the machine described in Letters Patentof the United States No. 165,95tl, dated July 27, 1875.

Artificial lace, tulle, bobbinet, and the like are -formed upon a foundation of straight threads, around which the carriage or bobbin threads 2o are twisted. Real lace is formed without such foundation by the simple crossing and recross ing and interweaving ot bobbin-threads. In making. this lace by hand the operator shifts the bobbins (each containing` its own thread) in z 5 such a way that theinterlacement ofthe threads constitutes the desired pattern, and these several crossings and intertwistin gs are by means of pins pressed up tight as they are made, so as to form the fabric. In the Malhere system these saine operations are performed by machinery. Independent bobbins, each on its own carriage, 'are supported upon disks arranged in horizontal and vertical ranges, and the threads under suitable tension are led to and between rollers, which take oft' the lace as formed. These disks are capable of receiving two carriages at once, and are combined with organs for revolving'them by half or quarter turns, as maybe required, and for shifting the carriages from any disk to the one adjacent. In this way the carriages and bobbins can be shifted from one disk to another throughout the series, and the threads can be crossed and twisted to effect any desired interlacement. The intertwistings are carried forward by means of movable pieces, called herein the drawers,77 which replace the pins used for the same purpose in hand-work. The operation of the various organs is effected by means of jacquards. A fuller description of the general operation will be found in my before-mentioned patent.

The present invention has for its object the more efficient, positive, and certain operation of the different parts, and comprises the following improvements:

First. The disks, supported in horizontal ranges by spindles turning in bearings in two cylindrical crowns, as in said patent, are

-grouped in series of three, which are independ- 6c ently controlled, and in which the disks of each range touch or approach Aclose to those immediately above or below in the adjacent range, and as many groups of these ranges as may be desired and can practically be worked (four groups, for example) are used in the same machine, the corresponding ranges in each group being connected together and operated simultaneously by a single Jacquard apparatus. By this arrangement the threads in each range can 7o be continually worked, so as to produce in any group three similar bands of lace, or the intermediate range can be used to receive additional or trailing threads from the range above and below, and two identical bands of lace be produced 5 or two ranges may be used to receive the additional threads and a single band be formed, and with a number of groups the number of bands produced in each case would be multiplied by the number of groups. All 8o the ranges are preferably, and irrespective of the grouping, placed close to each other, with the axis of each disk in the same vertical line with the one above and below, so that if it should be desired the carriages could be con- Veyed not only from range to range in the same group, but also from group to group.

Second. These disks are provided with unf dercut instead ofplain rectangular diametrical grooves, to receive the tails of the bobbin-car- 9o riages, and these are of corresponding shape, so that the carriages can be shifted from disk to disk by sliding in the grooves, and are pre-` vented from falling out by the shape of the grooves and tails. The T-pieces of'my former 95 patent are dispensed with.

Third. Small brake-pieces, pressed outward by spiral springs and carried by the bobbincarriagcs, are used instead of springs upon the bottom of the diametrical grooves, to produce 10o the friction for retaining the carriages in position during the rotation of the disks and at other times withoutinterfering with the shifting of the carriages by the proper organs.

Fourth. The shiftingof the carriagesis effected by rigid rods sliding in the interior of the spindles a n d operating upon pushers within the body ot' the disks, these disks being supported on the front ends of said spindles, and the rods operated from the rear thereof by devices connected with jacqnards.

Fifth. Mechanism is employed whereby the disks may be turned in either direction, as may be desired. rlhis mechanism comprises two independentlycontrolled sets of gearing on the same spindle, which gearing operates, when put into action by appropriate means, to turn the disk supported by the spindle, the one set in one direction and the other in the opposite, without interfering with each other, and returns into position for acting without carrying back the spindle and disk. The teeth of the gearing do not engage in repose, but come into action only by the operation of the jacquard. Thegearingitselt'admits of many modifications without departing from the spirit ot' theinvention. Attempt will not, however, be made to describe herein inferior modifications, but what is regarded as on the whole the best form of apparatus, comprising ratchet-wheels and drive-chains, will be hereinafter fully set forth. v

Sixth. The turning of the disks a halt` or a quarter turn is effected through the same connection with the jacquard by raising the hooks a greater or less distance, and this difference is accomplished by providing two notches on the hook, in one or the other ot" which the lifting-bar of thejacquard catches, as a half or a quarter turn is desired.

Seventh. To communicate the motions from the hooks of the jacquards to the other organs of the lace-frame, instead of the cords formerly used, which were apt to have their length altered by atmospheric conditions, metallic conneetions practically inextensible, and at the same time suiiciently flexible, are employed. For this purpose chains composed ot' links jointed by means ot' pins, of which the adjacent ones are at right angles to each other, are best adapted.

Eighth. The drawers to bring together 4the interlacements have, as heretofore, a rectan gular movement resembling that of the wellknown four-motion feed in a sewing-machine; but, instead of producing the movement by cords and effecting one-haltl of it by the recoil of a spring and the other by the jacquard, the motion is communicated through a rod which is operated positively in both directions by separate jaequards.

Ninth. The nuts, caps,and sprin gs before used to retain the spindles in the position to which theyhav'e been turned are retained 5 but they are constructed to operate independent ofthe frame by connecting by sprin gs two caps, which embrace the square nuts on connected shafts, one cap being above and the other below its shaft.

In order that the invention and the manner ot' carrying it into effect may be more fully understood, the same will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which the same letters of reference indicate like parts on all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side view in sectional eleva tion, illustrating a vertical row of spindles with the mechanism in immediate connection therewith for rotating the same and for operating the pushcrs. Fig. 1 is a similar view of the jacquards for controlling said mechanism, and Fig. 1l a detail view illustrating another form of devices for giving a full or partial lift to the hook of the jacquard. Fig. 2 is an elevation ot' a disk with a portion o1" its spindle and a bobbin with its holder and carriage in position on said disk, and Fig. 3, a sectional elevation of the bobbin and bobbin-holder in a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, showing the gearing for connecting the corresponding spindles in the several groups and the ratchet-wheel through which motion is communicated from the jacquards to the said spindles. Fig. 5 is an end elevation ofthe ratchet-wheel and its drivingchain; and Fig. 5, a similar view, partly in section, of the ratchetwheel; and Fig. 6, a side view, corresponding to Figs. 1 and-1, of a portion of the driving-chain detached. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a bobhin-carriage and its brake. Fig. 8 is a partial view in section and endelevation,illustrating the devices for hohling a spindle in position after a quarter or haltl turn 5 and Fig. f), asimilar view ofthe gearing for imparting motion from one spindle to the corresponding one of a different group. Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,and 16 are detail views, illustrating, in side elevation, vertical section, cross-section, and rear-end elevation, the construction and relative arrangement ot a disk, its spindle, pushers, pusher-rods, and tailpieces of said rods. 1n Fig. 12 the bobbincarriage is shown in dotted lines in several positions. Figs. 17 and 1S are views in elevation, in planes at right angles to each other, of a pusher-rod, and Figs. 19 and 20, similar views ot' a bracket or slotted frame, the use of which will be hereinafter explained. Figs. 21 and 24 are side elevations corresponding to Figs. 1 and 1, Fig. 23 a transverse section, and Fig. 26 a plan, all illustrating the construction and position of the drawers and parts immediately connected therewith. Figs. 22 and 25 are detail views, in plan, of a cap -piece and the spring-stops attached thereto and used in connection with the drawers. Figs. 27,28, and 29 are respectively a side elevation, rear elevation, and plan ot' means for imparting motion to the rods for operating the drawers. In Fig. 27 the construction ot the iexible metallic chains, which serve as connections between the hooks ot' the jacquards and the organs oper- ILO IIO

IIS

ated thereby, is represented. Fig. .29a is a detail view in plan, partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 27, 28, and 29. Fig'. 27u is a side elevation of a portion of the jacquards for operating the drawers. Figs. and 3l are front views of a number of disks, the diametrical slots in Fig. 30

being all longitudinal and in Fie. 3l vertical. Fig. 3.1 is a general perspective view of the whole machine, simplified .by omitting the reduplication of parts. In this gurejacquards arenot represented, as it is deemed unnecessary to the understanding of the invention, and would render the scale very small.

The machine is sector-shaped in plan. (See Figs. 26 and 32.)

BX is the main table or skeleton bed-plate, which rests upon feet CX, and supports at the outer or curved part the two concentric crowns A A and at the center or narrowest portion the two plates W XV and the standards 1l, Figs. 21,26, and 32. The plate W is supported by small pillars.

Above the crowns A A is supported on pil lars the frame DX, Figs. l and 32, and above these the frame EX, Fig. l, of the jacquards for operatingthe bobbin-carriages, which frame is supported in any ordinary or suitable way.

Back ofthe main table Bx is a curved shelf, FK, resting ou suitable feet and supporting by pillars the guide-frame GX. Below the shelf Fx is another, HX, supported by the feet ofthe former.

KX, Fig. 27, represents vthe frame for supporting the jacquard which operates the devices placed on the shelf FK.

Hollow spindles Zt h2, Sac., are supported in bearings in the crowns A A in horizontal and vertical ranges. In the machine shown there are twelve horizontal ranges, or, in other words, there are twelve spindles in each vertical range. (See Fig. l.) On the frontend of every spindle is fixed a disk, H, which, in connection with a collar, S, on the back of' the crown A, serves to prevent endwise motion in either direction. rFliese disks H areof uniform size and of such diameter that the peripheries of adjacent disks almost touch, Figs. l, 30, and 31. Each disk is provided with an undercut or j -shaped diametrical groove., Z, which communicates at the bottom with acomparatively deep slot or slit,j, Figs. 2, 10, and 12,extend ing to the spindles It h2 h3, &c. Within this slot-j the pushers Z Z', Figs. l2 and l5, operate. rlhe shape of these pushers is clearly shown in Fig. 12.

A pinm, fixed to the disk, passes through the slots m m in the pushers, and a finger on each pusher for displacing` the bobbin -carriagcs projects intothe groove t'.

In the interior of each of the-spindles h h2, Sac., are two semi-cylindrical rods, 7s k, which are capable of in dependentendwise movement, and to which the pushers Z Z are respectively jointed at o o.

The slots m m extend in opposite directions- Fig. 12, and that a similar action of the rod k would throw the pusher Z to the other side.

The bobbin-carriagesfhave tailsj?, circular in cross-section and shaped in longitudinal section, so as to correspondwith the shape of the undercut grooves i, and to form tongues adapted to hold the carriages on the disks, while permitting them to slidefrom the groove in one disk to another inline with it. (See Figs. 3() and 3l.) The tail of each carriage has a small spring-brake,f, Fig. 7, which, by pressing against the bottom of the grooves t', produces friction enough to hold the carriage, except when acted upon bythe displacing-iingers of' the pushers Z Z.

To each carriagefis fastened, Figs. 2 and 3, a bobbin-holder, b', which supports the bobbin a upon aiixed spindle, so as to turn freely thereon, and a tension-spring, d, one end of which is fastened toa fixed pin, while the other bears upon the thread upon the bobbin. From the bobbin the thread is passed through a guidehole in the outer end of' the holder. The latter is provided with a hinged side, b, in order that the bobbn may be readily removed and replaced.

.The horizontal ranges of carriages, disks, and shifting-organs are grouped in series ot' three, as follows: Each spindle of the three upper ranges is independently revolved in either direction by quarter or half turns under the action of the jacquards, while the next three ranges derive their movement from the first three, and so on; and each pusher in the upper three rangesis independently controlled, but those in each group of three below are operated simultancously-and in the same manner as the pushers in the corresponding range in the upper group. Thus in the machine shown (see Fig. l) the spindle It and all the other spindles in the saine (first) horizontal range, the. spindle h2 and all the other spindles in the same (second) horizontal range, and the spindle h3 and all the others in the same (third) horizontal range are operated each byits own jacquard. These three ranges (represented by the spindles 7L h2 h3, respectively) constitute, therefore, the first group. The pusher-rods tor each spindle in this group are also operated hy their own separate jaeqnards. Separate jacquards are not, however, used for the lower groups of spindlcs; hut spindles L, h4, hi, and lilo, Fig. l, are simultaneously revolved in the same direction and to the same extent, and the pusherrods in those spindles are also simultaneously IOO operated, and the same may be said of spin- The mechanism for communicating motion f rom the jacquards to the spindles and pusherrods will be described below.

To revolve each spindlle of the first group of horizontal ranges, or each series ot'- connected spindles ot' a number of groups, two double-notched hooks are used. one hook producing a revolution to the rig-ht and the other hook to the left, and one notch serving for the quarter-turn and the other for the half-turn.

To operate each pusher-rod ofthe upper group, or the series of rods acting simultaneouslyin a numberof groups,onesingle-notched hook is used. In the machine shown, therefore, there are for each vertical range of spindies such as represented by h Irl", Fig. 1, six double-notched and six single-notched hooks, controlling four groups of organs for shifting the bobbin-carriages, each group containing three spindles and disks and six pushcrs and pusher-rods, (two to a disk.)

In order to accommodate the jacquaid-cylinders to the curved shape otl the machine, and for other reasons which will readily suggest themselves, a number ot' vertical ranges are grouped, as indicated in Fig. 32, by the convergence of the jacquard-connections, those in each group being determined by that of the number of hooks which it is desirable or convenient to control bythe saine lifting-bars, cylinder, and cards.

The mechanism for communicating the motion from the jacquards to the spindles is the same for each spindle of the three upper ran ges.

Upon the spindle, Fig. 4, are lxed two ratchetwheels, W Vf, with teeth turned in opposite directions. lith each of these wheels is combined a drive-chain, Figs. 5 and one end of which is connected through a helicoidal spring, 2, with the t'rame DX, and the other with the flexible connection leading to the jacquardhook. The drive-chain comprises two parts, cach composed ot' jointed plates separated by a suicient distance to contain the ratchetwheel between them, and a cross-bar, l, which, when the chain is drawn by thejacquard, strikes the ratchet-wheel and turns it. The spring 2 is by this action compressed and returns the chain to its first position when released. The arc through which the ratchet-wheel is turned depends upon the amount of'lift of thejacquardhook. Means for giving dit'ereut length of movement with a constant reciprocation ofthe lifting-bar by the aid ot' a double notch on the hook, so as to impart a halt' or quarter turn to the ratchet-wheel and spindle, will be hereinat'ter described.

Normally the cross-bar l ot' the drive-chai 11 is at such a distance from its ratchet-wheel that the teeth of the latter will not catch on said bar when the spindle is turned, and engagement of one with the other is effected by the jacquard before it begins to revolve the ratchet-wheel and spindle. The spindle therefore is free to turn in either direction under the action of the appropriate ratchet-wheel and drive-chain without interference with or from the other.

Each disk is retained in position after a quarter or halt' turn (scc Figs. 4 and 8) by means ot' a cap, 65, held by the pressure of springs 7 against a square nut, 6, ou the shaft. The caps ot' two connected spindles, h h, Fig. 4, are drawn together by the springs 7, and the caps have or may have no connection with the m achine-f rame. Lateral motion of the caps is prevented by cheek-pieces,which bear against the periphery ot' a cylindrical disk fixed at the side ot' or formed in one piece with the nut 6. Motion is communicated from each spindle ot' the tirst group, comprising the three upper horizontal ranges, to the corresponding spindle below it in the next group, and this to the corresponding one in the next group, and so on, by means of endless chains 66, which engage with four tooth pinions, 4, on said spindles, Figs. 4 and 9.

The means for operating the pusher-rods will now be described.

To each rod is connected a tail-piece, p p, formed ot' a semicircnlar plate, to which a semicylindrical tube is fastened in order that it may be attached to its pusher-rod. AA semicircular ange (shown in elevation,Fig. 13) insures thenecessaryrigidityot'parts. The plane of division between the tail-pieces connected with the pair of rods in the same spindle is oblique to that between the rods themselves, as shown in Figs. 14 and 16, and consequently also to the groove and slit in the disk at the other end ot' the spindle. An angle of fortytive degrees is preferably made, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

To each tail-piece a guide-rod, q, sliding in holes r in the piece R, is attached, and a spring surrounding the guide-rod tends to force the tail-piece outward. The piece R is tixed by a set-screw or other appropriate means to the spindle h', Figs. 11 and 13. The movement of each rod is effected positivelyin one direction and the return movement by the spring on guide-rod q.

In the slotted brackets or frames U U, Figs. 1, 19, and 20, slide the plates g', (being six in number) for the groups of three horizontal ranges, as described. Pins passing through slots y, allow the plates g a limited vertical movement. Each plate is normally held down by a spring, n, onnecting the lower end with the machine-frame, and is raised as required by the jacquard (shown at right in Fig. 1a) through a ilexibleconnection attached to its upper end. In the slots in brackets U U are supported also the plates g, which are connected with the corresponding plates g', each by two links, t, jointed at u. The platesg are held from vertical movement in either direction by the pins z; but a horizontal movement back and forth is imparted to them through the links t when the plates g are raised and lowered.

The brackets U U! are equal in number to IOS IIO

the vertical ranges of spindles inthe machine, and each pair is so disposed that' half the plates g g' supported thereby are on one side of the plane through the axes ot' the spindles and the other half on the other side. From the front of each plate g project fingers, which, when the corresponding plate g is lifted, strike the tail-pieces of the pusher-rods for the time being opposite those fingers, and, forcing the rods to slide in their spindles, operate the corresponding pushers.

The pusher-rods being carried around with the spindle by half and quarter turns, it is obvious that the same iin ger will act sometimes on one and sometimes on the other tail-piece. As the division between the tail-pieces will always be oblique to the vertical and horizontal lines occupied by the groovesi in the disks H when the spindles are at rest, the fingers on plates gl placed to the right or left of the axis ofthe spindle will strike one, and only one, tailpiece at a time.

The disposition of the plates gg' on opposite sides of the axis is to enable either of the pusher-rods in the same spindle to be operated independently of the other. Of course both can act at the same time when this is desired, but the operation would be effected by the independent action ofthe jacquards.

The independent operation of the pushers in any spindle is effected by means of separate plates g g', with their links t, and separate jacquard-connections for each rod in that spindle.

The simultaneous operation of the corresponding pushers in a number of spindles in the same "ertical range is effected by providing fingers on the face ofthe plates g, opposite the proper tail-pieces. In the machine shown, therefore, one pair of plates is provided with fin gers s opposite the tail-pieces of pusher-rods in spindles h', h4, hl, and IL10, another pair with fingers s' opposite those in spindles h2, h5, hg, and hu, and the third pair with fingers s" opposite those in spindles h3, h6, hg, and h.

The construction and operation of the drawers for accumulating or drawing up the intertwistings of the bobbin-threads to form the lace will now be described. These drawers are in number equal to the spindles in a horizontal range less one, and they move in vertical planes which pass through radii of the sectorshaped frame and between the axes ofthe adjacent spindles in the same horizontal range. The. upper plate, W', is slotted, as shown at 12, Fig. 26, for the passage of the drawers. Each drawer is composed of a thin sheet of met-al, B, Fig. 21, attached to or formed in one piece with the bar I.

I' is a sole or base-piece, to which is fixed a tongue or slide, 13, contained in a radial capgroove, y, Figs. 23 and 26, in the plate 1V, so as to allow said sole to move in the direction of the groove. This movement in one direction is limited by the piece Q, in the other by one of the pins y', Fig. 26. On the cap y" of each of the grooves y are two spring-catches,

T T', which, when the sole is at the end of itsv travel in either direction, hold it in that position by means of the projections X', Fig. 22, and X", Fig. 25, until released. The projection X' passes behind the sole to hold it in the forward position, as shown in Fig. 21, and the projection X" in a notch, Z, (see Fig. 24,) to hold it in the rearposition. The sprin g-catches T T' are also provided with contact or cam surfaces X, Figs. 21 and 22, and X', Figs. 24 and 25, respectively, and the release of the catches is effected by means of them, as hereinafter explained.

At Y, Fig. 26some grooves are shown open, the caps being removed. y

Attached to the sole I' are uprights 14, the upper parts of which slide in dovetailed grooves formed by the adjacent edges of plates 15, Fig. 23, secured by screws to the under side of plate W'. At 35, Fig. 26, are the holes for the passage of the fastening-screws.

The bar I is provided with guide-pieces 16, which move in contact with said uprights,and is connected with the sole I' by two toggles,'J, jointed at M, the toggles themselves being connected by a link, P.' v

The operating-rod L is connected by the link N with one of the toggles and the link I). At its front end it is provided with a pin, which moves in a slot, V, Figs. 21 and 24, in the sole I', and also on its lower edge with ay projection, S. The drawer B is by the means just described made to move in a rectangular path. In Fig. 21 it is shown in full lines at the end of its stroke, the position occupied after it has pressed up some crossings in the thread. Motion of the bar L to the rear in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 21, causes the toggles to bend, and lowers the drawer into the position indicated in dotted lines at B'. During this time the sole is held stationary by the spring-catch T, and the pin at the end of rod L moves in the slot V. As soon as or immediately before the pin reaches the end of the slot the projection S strikes the contact or cani surface X of the spring-catch and releases it. The draweris then carried to the position shown in dotted lines at B", Fig. 21, andin fulllines in Fig. 24. The sole I' is now at the back of its stroke, and is caught by the spring-catch T'. The forward lnotion, therefore, ot' the rod L (in the direction -of the arrow, Fig. 24) first straightens the togglesJ andraises the drawer into the position shown in dotted lines atkB', Fig. 2l, so that on its forward movement it will catch and press forward the crossings or twistings of the threads, of which latter two are shown at F. the spring-catch T', and the sole and drawer are pushed together to the end of their course.

The drawers B work each between thin guide-blades 17, attached at the rear end to the curved piece 19 by hangers 1S, and at their front end fastened togetherin bundles, with a washer or plate of the thickness of the drawers B interposed between every two guideblades. The curved piece 19 is itself fixed to upper plate, W', by small screw-squares 20.

The projection S then releasesl lOO IIO

therewith by a pin.

The operation of the rods L, which extend to the rear of the machine, is effected positively in both directions by the action of jacquards, (shown in part in Fig. 27%) by means of gearing such as represented in Figs. 27, 28, and 29, there being two jacquard-hooks to each rod L. 0n each rod is a rack, 22, which rests upon the roller 24, and is driven by the gear 23. On opposite sides of the gear are grooved disks 25 and 25', and over these pass the iiexible chains 26 and 26', which are also led over idlewheels 27 and 2S and 27 and 2S. These idlewheels are supported on pins attached to the side pieces, 500, (see Figs. 2S and 29,) fastened to the bracket supporting the gear 23. These chains` pass through guide-holes in the shelf Hx, as shown in Fig. 32, being thus kept separate and prevented from becoming entangled with one another, and are connected at one end each with a weight, 32 32', Fig. 32, and at the other with the flexible j acquard-conneetions 31 31. On each of the grooved disks is a spur, with which a spur on the corresponding chain comes into contact when the jacquard draws on the exible connections so as to revolve the wheel. After such motion the weight, when the jacquard-hook is allowed to descend, returns the chain without affecting the gear. This is returned by the action of the other jacquard. In Fig. 27 the spur on the grooved disk 25 is represented by 29 and that on the chain by 30 when Vthe drawer is at rest in the forward position shown in full lines, Fig. 21. In the detail view, Fig. 291-, a portion of the grooved disk, with the spur 29, and a portion of the chain 26, with the spur 30, are shown in plan. l

The position of the spurs 29 30 after the jaequard has acted on chain 26 is indicated by 29 and 30', Fig. 27.

The flexible metallic connections 31 and 31 consist of cylindrical links having at one end a slot and at the other a tongue at iight angles to said slot. The tongue on one link fits within the slot in the next, and is connected Each link is therefore jointed to the next on both sides; but the axes of the two adjacent joints are at right angles to each other, so that the chain can bend practically in every direction, and is at thesame time inextensiblc. In Fig. 27 the heads of some of the pins or pivots are shown, and oth ers are shown in dotted lines in side elevation.

The same character of connections are used to impart motion from the jacquards to the drive-chains, Figs. 1, 5, and 6, for operating the spindles, to the plates g', Fig. 1, for operating the pushenrods, and to the pawl 21, (see desciption below,) foroperating the feed-rollers The j acquards for operatin g the drawers and pushers are of ordinary or suitable construction and need not be described. Those for revolvin g the spindles possess novelty in the double-notched hooks and means, as hereinafter explained, for operating the same, and are or may be otherwise of ordinary or suitable construction. The description will be, so far as practicable, confined to the new features.

Referring to Fig. 1, the double hooks represented by 36 are operated by the needles 39, each of which has two branches, 40 41, for the passage of which the jacquard-cylinder 42 is pierced with separate hoes. The needles are, as usual, repelled by the cards 43 and brought back by springs. The branches 4() and 41 are of unequal length, and the parts are so arranged that when the card is perforated opposite the longer branch 40 of any needle, but not opposite thebranch 41, the hook is moved forward-that is, to the left in the tigure-sufiiciently to bring the upper notch over thelifting-bar 37, so that thelatter, in rising, draws on the connection and turns its spindle a quarter-turn. When there are per forations in the cards opposite both branches, the spring forces the needle its full distance forward and the lifting-bar catches the lower notch. In Fig. 2" the two notches are shown on opposite sides of the hook 36, and thehook is placed in any of the three positions, which maybe called the centen backj and front positions, by the action of two needles. Thus when both needles are repelled by the card the hook takes the rea-r position, and the upper notch is engaged by the lifting-bar. YVhen the lower of a pair of needles only is repelled the hook is held in the center and neithernoteh is engaged. Vhen neither of the needles is repelled the hook is brought to the forward position and the lower notch is engaged. The hook with the two notches on one side could be controlled by double needles in the same manner, and the two forms of hook could be combined to permit a multiplication of effects.

. The rollers Gr, Figs. 21 and 32, are supported in bearings in the standards 11, and are operated by means of a Jacquard apparatus through the pawl 21, a ratchet-wheel, and a train of gears.

The general operation of the machine will be readily understood. The bobbins,with their carriages, being placed on the proper disks, the threads are stretched to the rollers G, by which they are held. The -1nachine is then started. The proper spindles are turned by the action ofthe jaeqnards, twisting the threads of the two bobbins carried thereby as often as may be desired. After the threads have been suficiently twisted the pushers operate under the action of the jacquard and displace some or all ofthe bobbin-carriages, as may he required and carry them onto 'adjacent disks, and the twistings are pressed up to the rollers G by the drawers, operated by their jacquards. As the formation of the fabric by the accumulation of the intertwistin gs progresses, the rollers G are turned by the connected' jacquard.

In the foregoing description the spindles are described as moved by quarter or half turns; but it is obvious that the means employed could be extended to impart a three-quarter turn, or even more, should it he deemed desirable.

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rlhe shape, dimensions, and arrangements of the organs can be modified Without departing from the spirit of this invention.

The pushers or devices for displacing the bobbins could be operated by a pull on the rigid rods instead oi' a push, as described.

Having now fully described the said invention and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into eliect, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a lace-machine ot' the character dcscribed, the combination ofthe disks and spindles, grouped in series of three horizontal ranges,with mechanism for operating the spindles of each range independently ot' those in the other two ranges of the group, the disks in each ot' said ranges closely approaching each other and those in the adjacent ranges, substantially as described.

2. The disks and spindles supported in horizontal ranges with the disks approaching closely to those on all sides, in combination with means for operating the disks and spindles in a group of ranges independently, and for communicating motion from the spindles of said independently-operated ranges to corresponding ranges in groups below, substantially as described.

3. In a lace-machine, as described, the disks provided with undercut diametrical grooves, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination,with the disks approaching close to one another and provided with undercut grooves, ot' the bobbin-carriages with tails adapted to lit said grooves, as described, so as to be shifted from disk to disk while held on the disks by reason of the interlocking or dovetailin g ot' the carriage-tails with the diskgrooves. y

5. The bobbin-carriages provided with friction-brakes, as described.

6. The combination ota disk and spindle with pushers or devices for displacing the bobbins, rods sliding in said spindle for operating said pushers, and mechanism t'or operating the said rods, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a pusher rod, ot" mechanism, as described, for converting the drawing action ot' a jacquard in a vertical direction into horizontal movement ot' said rod, substantially as described.

S. The combination,in a lace-machine, with the grooved disks and spindles for supporting the same, of gearing for turning said spindles indifterently in either direction, substantially as described.

9. rI he combination, with a spindle, two sets of gears, and connections for operating either set at will by a rectilinear movement of the connections, the teeth of both sets of gearing being disengaged when in repose and brought into action by the iirst movement ot1 the connections, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a grooved disk and spindle,of'a double-notchedjacquard-hook,

a flexible connection, and cooperating devices, whereby the same hook produces a movement or" said spindle and disk through a greater or less arc, substantially as described.

11. The combination of the double-notched jacquard-hook and double or forked controlling-needle with a lifting-bar and devices for controlling the position of the needle, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the thread-twisting and bobbin-displacing organs and with the drawers ot' a lace-m achine, otA the j acquards, iicxible metallicjacquard-connections, and intermediate devices for conveying power from said connections to the aforesaid bobbin twisting and displacing organs and drawers, substantiall y as described.

13. The combination, with the jacquard-hook and the device to be operated thereby, of a flexible metallic connection consisting of links pivoted to each other by pins, with their axes in different planes, so as to make an inextensible connection ilexible in all directions, substantially as described.

14. The drawers, operating-rods, and means, as indicated, forimparting a rectangular movement to said drawers by the reciprocation of' said rods, in combination with mechanism for producing positive motion of said rods in both directions, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the operating-rod of a drawer for pressing upward the intertwisting or interlacin g of threads, of two jacquards and intermediate mechanism, asindicated, said j acquards acting the oneto move said rod backward and the other forward, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with two connected spindles, of the square nuts on each and the caps held together by springs, substantially as described.

17. The combination of the thread-twisting and bobbin-displacing organs, arranged in groups of horizontal ranges, the organs being controlled independently in the'several groups, but operating simultaneously under the action ofthe samej acquard with corresponding organs in all the groups, substantially as described.

1S. The improved machine described, comprising the disks and spindles and pushers or devices for displacing the bobbin carriages, grouped by horizont-al ranges, Jacquard apparatus for operating said disks and spindles by halt' and quarter turns in either direction, jacquards for operating said pushers or displacing devices, take-orf rollers, and drawers with their operating devices and jacquards,

substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this spccilication beforev two subscribing witnesses.

F. MALHRE.

Witnesses:

EDOUARD SIMON, J. ARMENGAUD, Jeune. 

